The 2022 Quadcross of Nations took place at Kramolin in the Czech Republic with hopes high of a Team GB podium.
Race Report by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC
Race One (Groups A/B)
Precisely on time the gate dropped for the opening quad race. Joe Maessen from team Netherlands grabbed the holeshot from Kevin Saar and Chad Wienen third at the end of lap one. The grid was huge and the pace fierce as team USA’s Wienen went ahead on the second lap. It was another surprise ride by the Belgian Randy Naveaux. He was flying ahead of Saar, with Bryce Ford scrapping with Harry Walker for fourth place.
Five laps in and Bryce Ford muscled ahead of his young British rival into fourth, but the trio in front were covered by just ten seconds.
In sixth was Petit for France ahead of McLernon from team Ireland with Maessen slipping back. The track was rough but totally rideable and there were scraps all the way down the field.
Half-distance, the lead had stretched to seven seconds, with the chasing two, Naveaux and Saar on the same piece of track, and locked together.
Then with eight minutes left before the two-lap board, Kevin Saar’s Yamaha expired, much to the dismay of Saar and the Estonian team.
Team USA was now in control, with a six second match until – drama happened. Wienen was also out with a mechanical fault, with all the USA responsibility now on the shoulders of young Bryce Ford.
Into the closing stages and two laps remaining, Ford was still under pressure from Naveaux, but kept his cool to the flag. Team Ireland had a great race, with both men in the high places.
Result
Race Two (Groups B/C)
The two USA riders in this one were keen to make up the disadvantage from Wienen’s earlier breakdown, He was destined to start further down the order, whilst his team mate Joel Hetrick was away with it at the front. As Wienen made his way through, he had a good fight with the hard-charging Norwegian Chris Tveraen and title holder Ireland team member Dean Dillon.
These four riders were opening a gap, with the USA riders clearing off.
Team Italy and team France were strong behind and began to close on Dillon. Dafydd Davies from team GBR retired at half distance after being very much in the top ten mix. Turrini had caught up well after stalling on the line and was also making his presence felt.
Eight laps in, and Tveraen sat firmly third, just as a red flag came out for a big crash on the fast downhill. A result was declared, with the USA one-two.
Result
Race Three (Groups A/C)
The new kid on the USA block Bryce Ford grabbed the lead in the third and final quad race chased by the rapid Belgian Randy Naveaux and Kevin Saar. Joel Hetrick, Ford’s teammate was caught on the hop and had to make his way past to set after his young compatriot. It took him two laps to make his way to the front, but with five laps gone he was still playing second fiddle to the youngster.
Chris Tveraen had been shoved wide after the start and had to do his own share of fighting back. This he did but caught up in a mid-race battle with Patrick Turrini and Harry Walker for Team GBR, making hard work of further progress.
Lap seven and Joel Hetrick was now in the lead, pulling out four seconds from Bryce Ford and a brilliantly fast Randy Naveaux. He in turn, was well clear of a disappointed Kevin Saar, who with one mechanical breakdown already, was not having his best weekend. Chris Tveraen then got stuck in, making up ground as he passed Turrini to move sixth behind Harry Walker. At the same time, Naveaux closed on Bryce Ford, and threatened hard going into the closing stages. The top four were moving away from the chasers, and down the field, McLernon and David Cowan for Ireland were well adrift in tenth and eleventh places. Two laps to go and it was job done for Joel Hetrick, with a seven second lead.
Result
Final Overall Standings
